Research-based Teaching and Learning

Reiter

In our Service-Learning courses, we suggest considering the principle of research-based learning while planning the course, since Service-Learning provides a good framework to establish a connection between science and practice. Huber (2014) distinguishes research-based teaching and learning into three approaches:
  • “Research-led learning” – students learn to understand research by dealing with a discipline’s fundamental questions, its core assumptions and a thorough understanding of developing research questions (“Forschungsbasiertes Lehren und Lernen”)
  • “Research-oriented learning” – students practice research by, for example, trying out and discussing a method (“Forschungsorientiertes Lehren und Lernen”)
  • “Research-based learning” – students carry out their own research project, which should where possible include all the phases of the research process, from identifying an initial problem through research design to presentation of the results and reflecting on the process (“Forschendes Lernen”)
In the English-speaking research community, especially Healey and Jenkins' work is widely acknowledged (Healey & Jenkins 2009) and very close to Huber's approach.
The material introduces teachers to the main ideas of research orientation in teaching and learning and offers possibilities to reflect upon teaching convictions and to take a fresh look at teaching and learning practice. In order to provide the teachers with fundamental information on the underlying educational principles that guide the ideas of research-based learning, there is additional material on didactical basics at the end. This section might help teachers to refresh their knowledge on those basics on teaching and learning in higher education.
The material introduces teachers to basic concepts, models and approaches of research-based learning.
The video introduces teachers to the concept of research orientation in teaching by Mick Healy & Alan Jenkins. This concept helps to classify your teaching and apply various research types to your teaching practice.